Galician-style herring without vinegar: lemon and grapefruit worked wonders

Herring is a favorite food for many. But sometimes you crave something different, not just store-bought salted fish. This Galician-style recipe is just that. Lemon, grapefruit zest, and onion transform an ordinary fillet into a sophisticated appetizer.

No vinegar—just the natural tartness of citrus. It's easy to make, and the results are impressive.

What products will you need?

• Six herring fillets (fresh or salted),
• one lemon,
• zest of one grapefruit,
• one medium onion,
• salt,
• sugar,
• black and allspice.

How to cook

Cut the fillet into pieces. Cut the onion into half rings. Slice the lemon into thin circles. Peel the zest from the grapefruit in wide strips—this will make it easier to remove from the jar later.

Place everything in a jar, alternating layers: fish, onion, lemon, zest. Boil water, add sugar, salt, and spices. No vinegar is needed—the lemon will add the right amount of tartness. For every cup of boiling water, add about two teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt if the fillet is already salted. Cool the marinade completely.

Fill the jar to the top and let it marinate. After two days, you can try it. Before serving, discard the zest and lemon, and transfer the onion and herring to another jar without the liquid.

Personal advice

You can use either fresh or salted fillets. If the fish is in oil, rinse it under ice water and pat dry. If the fillet is salted, reduce the amount of salt in the marinade. Herring doesn't keep long in the refrigerator—it's usually eaten within a couple of days.